Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s May 2023 Update

May 19, 2023 – SOU President Rick Bailey focuses on two thoughts – a paradigm shift and our commitment to who we are – in his May video message to campus and community members. He says it’s time to “stop just playing defense” and look ahead to what the university should look like in 10, 20 or 50 years. And following a recent visit to campus by agitators seeking division – and the civil, pitch-perfect response by students and employees – he urges a daily commitment by the SOU community to “respect for and belief in the fundamental dignity of all people.”

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s April 2023 Update

March 29, 2023 – SOU President Rick Bailey circles back to something he mentioned over a year ago in his first video message to campus and community members: that with kindness and unity as a foundation, the university can do anything. He acknowledges that there is turbulence and anxiety, but also opportunity as SOU proceeds with its fiscal realignment. And he thanks campus and the community for their support through all of their connections with SOU.

Listen: Raider Up with President Rick, Episode 5

February 20, 2022 – SOU President Rick Bailey returns to the Raider Up podcast with answers to students’ questions about what SOU has to offer for out-of-state students, parking availability for students, how students may be affected by SOU’s financial realignment and more.

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s February 2023 Update

February 3, 2023 – SOU President Rick Bailey updates the fiscal stability plan and thanks the campus community for thoughtful feedback ahead of the Feb. 16 town hall meeting, where details will be shared. Cost management is one of our for planks, and the other three – reimagining grants, leveraging philanthropy and diversifying revenue – are also keys to SOU’s future. He closes with an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

A Holiday Message from SOU President Rick Bailey Jr.

December 13, 2022 – SOU President Rick Bailey wishes happy holidays for all, regardless of your traditions or how you celebrate the winter season. The pause between fall and winter terms is a time for celebration and reflection – and a reminder that for everyone from Reading to Roseburg, SOU is your hometown public university.

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s December 2022 Update

December 6, 2022 – SOU President Rick Bailey talks with students and employees about the university’s pending fiscal and programmatic realignment in his December video message to campus. President Bailey says he is “pleading with” all members of the campus community to play a role in what he acknowledges will be a painful process of determining the things SOU should stop doing. He promises an open, inclusive and compassionate process that ultimately will strengthen the university’s fiscal foundation and will make SOU a model for universities nationwide to reposition for the future.

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s September 2022 Update

September 27, 2022 – SOU President Rick Bailey welcomes students and employees to fall term 2022, in his September video message to campus. President Bailey also lays out the plan to escape a periodic cycle of financial crises that are common at public higher education institutions across the country by reducing reliance on state funding and tuition revenue, and creating new income streams for the university by installing four planks: sustainable energy production, a senior living community, a campus business district and replacement of SOU’s core information system.

Listen: Raider Up with President Rick, Episode #4

July 26, 2022 – SOU president Rick Bailey uses episode #4 of his podcast to answer student questions about SOU’s commitment to students from rural areas, whether he may at some point teach military history or other courses, his musical preferences and some favorite moments from his first academic year at SOU.

Listen: Raider Up with President Rick, Episode #3

June 22, 2022 – SOU president Rick Bailey is back behind the mic with podcast host Nash Bennett, addressing questions that have been submitted by students. Topics this month range from cookies and the president’s favorite campus tree, to the cost of housing and ensuring that the university reflects the region’s diverse values.

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s June 2022 Update

June 3, 2022 – Watch SOU President Rick Bailey’s June 2022 campus video message. Topics for the final spring term message from President Bailey include SOU’s Gold rating for Sustainability in Higher Education; long-term fiscal goals and how we will address them; a congratulations to the Southern Oregon University women’s Rugby team for a successful trip to the national championship tournament; the celebration of LGBTQ pride month in June; and SOU’s flag-raising ceremony. President Bailey also welcomes the entire SOU community to join this year’s commencement ceremony.